By Usman Gwadabe
The Madina team in charge of feeding were on inspection tour of all the contracted kitchens to ascertain their readiness to serve Nigerian pilgrims.
The team focused on hygiene, quality and quality of the food as well as the facilities.
This was contained in a statement issued by Head of Medinah Media Team, Hajiya Suwaiba Ahmed and made available to Hajj Reporters on Friday.
According to the statement, Head of Madina Feeding Committee, Alhaji Abdullahi Kabir led the team to the seven Kitchens contracted for the operation.
The release said among the areas inspected are the cleanliness of the facilities and equipments as well as workforce all of which determine effective delivery.
Suwaiba added that during a meeting prior to the inspection of the kitchens, the Madina Coordinator, Alhaji Abdulkadir Oloyi, raised the issue of food packaging, where he said some of the caterers use sub-standard plastic containers which is unacceptable.
The meeting agreed on a particular packaging to be used uniformly by all the caterers.
He also reiterated the importance of following the menu given to them by NAHCON as well as delivering the food to the pilgrims’ accommodation on time.
He said there will be consequences on violators.
Meanwhile, the committee in charge of accommodation is working tirelessly to ensure that everything is in place before the arrival of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims into Saudi Arabia today.